Taylor Funeral Homes announces the death and services of Roy Michael Hayes, age 95, who passed away peacefully in his home in Louisville, GA Wednesday April 27, 2022.

A native of Croydon England, Roy was the son of the late Michael John and Ella Hillier Hayes.  He received a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Oxford Tech, and later an M.E. from Reading Tech.  He held positions as a design engineer at Short Aircraft Co. in Ireland, Royal Ordnance Plant in England, M/CY corporation in Canada, and Colson Corporation in Arkansas before taking the job as plant manager of Thermo King Corporation in Louisville, GA.

Roy, Pearl, and their son Robert left England in 1953, moving first to Ireland and Canada before immigrating to the United States.  After living in Arkansas, they moved to Louisville GA in 1965 and made Louisville their permanent home.  Roy later became a naturalized citizen of the United States.  He worked as the plant manager for Thermo King corporation in Louisville for 24 years.  The many employees of Thermo King were a beloved family to Mr. Hayes and always stopped him with a kind word and smile.

Roy had many hobbies and interests through the years.  Motorcycles, sports cars, playing music (double bass, accordion, organ), stamps, and especially sailing were his main interests.  Motorcycle racing and casual riding became a constant hobby while living in England.  His interest in motorcycles even included a motorcycle tour of France with two of his friends in 1948.  While motorcycles were mainly a hobby of his youth, sailing was a passion throughout his adult life.  In 1970 Roy designed and built a 22-foot sailboat in his garage.  There were several other sailboats and many sailing adventures to North Carolina, Florida, Ocracoke Island, Key West, and many other ports of call.  The crew varied on these voyages from his good friends to his wife and grandchildren and were always full of adventures and misadventures that were often retold, and some even reimagined over the years. 

Roy was preceded in death by his cherished wife of 65 years Pearl Virginia Hayes.  Survivors include his son Robert M. Hayes, of Louisville, GA.  Grandchildren Elizabeth Hayes Stafford, and Sean Hayes (Julie).  He is also survived by 5 great grandchildren whom he adored, Haley Stafford, Cassidy Stafford, Zachary Stafford, Laura Faith Hayes, and Ethan Hayes. 

His family would like to express their gratitude for the loving care for Roy provided by Wanda McGraw and Mary Fields which allowed him to remain in his home filled with warm memories and family around him.  A special thanks to Wanda and her family for the care she provided Roy and Pearl for 10 years.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis TN, 38105.

The family will receive friends at Taylor Funeral Home on Thursday May 5th from 5:00-6:00pm followed immediately by a memorial service in the funeral home chapel officiated by Chaplain Katrina Salter-Wood.  A private burial will be held at a future date in the Louisville city cemetery.

Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Care 401 West 8th Street Louisville is in charge of arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Roy M. Hayes, please visit our floral store.